Column-joint.



No. 7l4,886. Patented Dec. 2, I902.

W. H. FENWICK, In.

COLUMN JOINT.

(No Model.)

a -467M 7 x UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM H. FENWVICK, JR, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

COLUMN-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 714,886, dated December 2, 1902.

Application filed June 28, 1902. Serial No- 1l3,585. (N0 model.)

T0 all whom it mag concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. FENWIOK, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Column-Joints, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to lock-joint staved columns, and has for its object to provide a lock-joint for such columns which will possess points of advantage in simplicity, ease of construction, facility of adjustment, effectiveness, and general efficiency.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described which in the lock-joint will present relatively extensive surfaces which will decrease the liability to fracture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described in which the lock-joints are drawn into close engagement at any tendency of the staves composing the column to separate.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a column embodying my invention, partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line m as, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of such column. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of a modifled form of column embodying my invention.

The reference-numeral 1 designates a column composed of a plurality of staves 2 and 2 The staves 2 are recessed on opposite sides to form acute-angled projections, which extend into complementary recesses in the adjoining staves'2. I preferably provide a plurality of projections on each side of the staves 2, and the recesses in the sides of the staves 2 form parallel shoulders, against which the projections of the adjoining staves bear with a drawing strain, so that in assembling the staves to form a column clamping pressure need only be applied to the staves 2. As shown in the drawings, the staves 2 and 2 are alternated and after being joined to form the column the outer surface of the latter may be turned into the form desired. The staves may be made of any suitable material, such as terra-cotta, wood, or composition material.

The column may be of different shapes in cross-section, one modification being shown in Fig. 4. In this form the staves are modified in their cross-sectional shape, so that four may form the column; but the locking-joint is formed in the same manner as described for the column illustrated in Fig. l and consists of triangular projections on each of the staves complementary to triangular recesses in the adjoining staves.

It is evident that this form of joint presents an extensive bearing-surface and that any tendency of the staves to separate only causes the joints to draw tighter together and by reason of the extent of the contacting surfaces and the fact that such surfaces are at an angle to the grain of the wood decreases the likelihood of their being broken oil.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those familiar with the art to which it relates. Columns formed of staves are of common use for many reasons-among others because it is difficult and expensive to construct them of a single piece and because if constructed of a single piece of wood they are liable to crack. This methed of joining the staves together by joints which have considerable bearing-surfaces placed at an angle to the grain of the wood ofiers a strong locking device, and being plane are readily formed upon the staves at small cost.

I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the details of construction and arrangement as herein described and illustrated, as it is manifest that variations and modifications may be made in the features of construction and arrangement in the adaptation of the device to various conditions of use without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and improvements. I therefore reserve the right to all such variation and modification as properly fall within the scope of my invention and the terms of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A column comprising two series of staves, one series having its opposite sides recessed to form acute-angled projections, and the In testimony whereof I have signed my other series being formed with longitudinal name in the presence of the subscribing wit- 1o recesses to receive said projections. nesses.

2. Acolnmn comprising two series of staves,

' one series having its opposite sides recessed iWILLIAM FENWIOK to form acute-angled projections, the other Witnesses: series being recessed to form a plurality of HARTWELL P. HEATH, shoulders engaged by said projections. JOHN M. HOOTOR. 

